The Pentagon’s Vague Threat to China Over Arming Russia

China is employing a well-trod tactic to try to outmaneuver the U.S. as it appears more ready than ever to start helping Russia gain new ground in Ukraine with weapons shipments.

The Pentagon on Wednesday pledged “consequences” for Beijing if it heeds Moscow’s desperate pleas for arms and ammunition but yet again stopped short of detailing how it would follow through on the stern but vague threat.

Spokeswoman Sabrina Singh delivered the cagey response during a press conference in which she demurred despite repeated requests for specifics.

“I don’t want to forecast any of those consequences,” she said.

It wasn’t the first such shadowy warning. In an interview that aired Sunday on CBS News, Secretary of State Antony Blinken referred to a “serious problem” if China looked to strengthen its alliance with Russia at this time.